To me, this movie is perfection.

Just so...so bad

In other words,this film is a surreal ride.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

As a Christ follower, and one who enjoys uplifting and encouraging films, I'm always looking for faith-based movies to see. I've seen some good ones, but also (unfortunately) too many - though sincerely made - not so good ones. This one was not only highly rated on Netflix, but it features two well-known actresses (Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah) and a couple of recognizable character actors (Martin Lawrence and John Carroll Lynch) as well. So I thought I'd check it out.Firstly, I didn't know the story of the Beam family as told in the book which shares the film's title; it was a New York Times Bestseller written by a Texas mother named Christy Beam (Garner's character) a couple of years ago. I also didn't know it was about a young girl's claim that she went to Heaven and returned. This non- Biblical concept was exploited a few years earlier in a film I definitely avoided. So, I wouldn't have 'rented' this one if I'd have known in advance that it was going to promote the same heretical concept.However, since this part of the plot isn't revealed until late in the drama, I watched it unaware of what was going to happen, like anyone else unfamiliar with this purported true story.It's actually pretty good, for the most part. It realistically portrays the family's struggles through the hardships and inherent suffering when dealing with the torturous medical condition of one of their three daughters. Anna, played by Kylie Rogers, who is essentially terminal, though - unless I missed it - no doctor says anything like "she has 14 months to live".I certainly hope that there really are doctors like Dr. Nurko (Eugenio Derbez), the busy specialist in Boston that treats Anna's condition(s). What a bright light of joy amidst such difficult circumstances. He's one of two characters - the other is played by Queen Latifah - that exhibit Christ-like behavior without explicitly being identified as having faith in Jesus.In fact, there are several other characters who profess to be Christians that espouse misguided Pharisaical beliefs: that Anna's condition is due to sin or a lack of faith in the Beam family. Fortunately, Christy's Pastor Scott (Lynch) later says to Christy: "Kevin (her husband, played by Henderson) told me what those ladies said to you, and ... I sure wish that I could give everybody a spiritual IQ test before they walk in the door."I'm really not sure if the mixed messages of these characterizations - in addition to Christy's inconsistent faith throughout - were intentional or just symptomatic of the flawed Prosperity Gospel to which producer TD Jakes subscribes.Finally, actress Garner didn't deliver the emotional depth that was required to carry the picture. This was surprising given that she also has three daughters and her director, Patricia Riggen (who ably conveyed the drama of The 33 (2015)), is the mother of a daughter herself.

I am not a huge fan of religious films, but "Miracles From Heaven", directed by Patricia Riggen and written by Randy Brown, impressed me with the combination of actor selection and the way the story was directed. Believer or not, this dramatic family film will make it difficult for anyone to hold back tears during this true story. Christy Beam, who is perfectly played by Jennifer Garner, is a mother of three little girls and the wife of Kevin (Martin Henderson). Together, they regularly attended services at a mass church in Texas as a healthy, happy family.Now the trailer itself says it all, so there won't be any spoilers. "Life is good, Christy Beam," said Kevin, which definitely foreshadows that their lives were about to turn upside down. It started when their bright 12-year-old Anna (Kylie Rogers) suffered never ending stomach pain. Multiple doctors insisted not to worry since her condition was either lactose intolerance or acid reflux. Christy Beam, being a mother with an instinct, knew her daughter was dealing with something more serious. It was frustrating to see these doctors just constantly telling Christy Beam to calm down. Anna was then diagnosed with a rare intestinal disorder that didn't have a medical cure. From that point, Anna and Christy were flying back and forth from Texas to Boston to meet with the best pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Samuel Nurko (Eugenio Derbez). He had a way of bringing out the best of the sick children with his light-hearted humor, which was pleasing to watch. Anna also encountered a friendship with a compassionate waitress, Angela (Queen Latifah). She had an idea that Anna was sick, so she encouraged them to let her give them a personal tour with a twist. She has never been a disappointment with her acting and performances, and she continued that legacy in "Miracles From Heaven." Both of their acting roles brought joy and a comic relief in the movie. Throughout the film, it's fascinating to notice the small miracles happen, which is ultimately what "Miracles From Heaven" is about. However, that one miracle, that faith, that Christy was desperately searching for came when Anna fell thirty feet down of the inside of a tall tree and hit head first. It may not sound like a miracle, but not only she survived the fall, her incurable disease was cured. Even though the audience already knew what was going to happen from the trailer, it is hard not to be engaged by that intense moment; it had myself on the edge of the chair the entire time. Anna claimed that when she was spiritually gone, she experienced a moment with God; one that is hard to believe. It was definitely cheesy and may seem impossible to understand, but it just depends on what people's beliefs are. The Beam Family knew it was a miracle; as do I. What made this film worked so well was the emotional performance put on by Jennifer Garner. Through the character Christy Beam, she expressed resilience, vulnerability and real warmth. Patricia Riggen, as the director, seemed to have no challenge with keeping the viewer engaged since I was just crying throughout the whole movie. It was a constant roller-coaster that was filled with anger, happiness, and sadness. Like I said, I am not a huge believer, but from the beginning to the end, "Miracles From Heaven," is a heart-warming movie.

As a Christian, I can tell you this movie is very uplifting to anyone who follows the religion. This movie was very well written and filmed, also, with no plot holes I was able to notice. My one issue with this movie (and the reason I did not give it a full 10/10) is how utterly depressing it is. I could generally be considered a tough person, but it was hard for even me to hold back all my tears. Yes, of course there's much resolution, but let's just say that in certain cases there isn't. I definitely wouldn't recommend watching it alone, but make sure you're comfortable with the person you watch it with. If you're not comfortable crying in front of people... yeah.MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN~Chie~

I know, you've just about had it with these poorly produced independent features that preach Christianity. I will admit that Miracles from Heaven falls under that category of the lowliest of the low when compared to the loud, expensive spectacles that Hollywood churns up to financial success. But it's not the same type of "repent or you're going to hell" hate speech that God's Not Dead spits out, nor does it celebrate shallow cultural stereotypes like Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas, but rather, it tells a true story open to interpretation that is worth discussion by all viewers.The family we follow in this picture is the Beam family, composed of a mother, father, and three girls. Jennifer Garner (Alias, Juno) plays the mother of the family, Christy Beam. This once talented actress is simplified to an annoying vessel of a character who exists just for the other people in her life to hand her crucial information, all while she blames others for her troubles. Yet her whiny nature is true to the natural events, as the stress between her and the Lord comes across plainly.Martin Henderson plays the father of the family, Kevin Beam. He shows no sorrow toward his daughter, nor is he as involved here as the true story claims. Courtney Fansler plays Adelynn Beam, the youngest child, while Brighton Sharbino plays Abbie, the oldest child. Neither of these girls are convincing in their roles, but there's at least a slightly more tolerable performance by the miracle child in between them, Anna, played by Kylie Rogers.Anna goes from freely spinning in a tire with her sisters one minute to puking her way through each long, ungodly night for weeks on end. The symptoms continue, her tummy becomes unnaturally bloated, and it takes a trip to the Boston Children's Hospital to diagnose the true condition: Pseudo-Obstruction Motility Disorder. All the doctors say that she has no chance of surviving this disease… or does she?While the oversaturated lens-flare heavy imagery of Texas takes me out of the experience, the use of the camera and script still expresses a clear aura of support that glows within this family. You see it as dad buys his daughter a dog to cheer her up, and they all commit to not eating pizza until they know she's better. Together, you sense that they're all secretly praying, "Why me, Lord?"Christy thus makes a difficult choice to fly to Boston for a doctor who can find a cure. I'll admit I never felt she had anything valuable to leave in Texas, as all her "friends" there are such dreadful actors, and director Patricia Riggen's (The 33) poor staging of their scenes failed to add any expected drama. Yet once they make it to Boston, life and joy is poured back into their hopelessness with Boston's most knowledgeable doctor, who is extra silly with his Elmo tie and pirate impersonations to boot. Funny how the most miserable place for them each to be is where the most smiles erupt.During their stay, they each befriend an outgoing waitress played by Queen Latifah (Chicago) who takes them on a tour through Boston in her own vehicle that looks fresh out of the dump. The montage of the mother and daughter meeting the city and its famous landmarks tries to be both charming and humorous, but the high commercialism and oversentimentality of it all misses the point of the story entirely. They could have left this whole scene (and waitress) out and nothing would have changed.Yes, I know, Miracles from Heaven is a deeply flawed Christian film that has no real replay value (and that's coming from a fellow Christian). But aside from the lack of mastery over story, an unbelievable account of a miracle too good to be true makes this a must-see. The logical would say that a lethal disease is reason enough to give up on Christ, but Miracles from Heaven proves how miracles are hidden in any uncalled for series of events. Miracles may not be in the big things like cancer and death, but it's always in the little things like pillow fights and pizza parties. Miracles are found in a cross necklace worn at all times, Miracles are found in the father's response to his daughter's eternal pain. While we may not know what God has for us, we can still see the miracles in everyday living as long as we cling to faith in his good plan.